He's been called a wizard, a true star, even God. But by any name, Todd Rundgren is one of music's most enduring iconoclasts. Not merely content to rest on his early career laurels as a purveyor of top-tier AM pop ("Hello, It's Me," "I Saw the Light") the restless musician has followed his muse from one direction to another over 40+-years, taking in soul (of the Philadelphia and blue-eyed varieties), pop, prog rock, jazz, funk, arena rock, avant-garde experimentalism, a cappella, musical
A Salute to Heroes: Elmer Bernstein's "Men in War" Rediscovered On CD
When he was 35, it was a very good year. The “he” is Elmer Bernstein, the year is 1957. The prolific composer managed to create five unique scores for five motion pictures that year – Sweet Smell of Success, Men in War, Fear Strikes Out, The Tin Star, and Drango. The Kritzerland label has already brought the last three of those titles to CD over the past months, and now Men in War is on the docket, too! (Not that Mr. Bernstein has been ignored elsewhere. A film of a later vintage, 1979’s
Friday Feature: "Lost Horizon" (1973)
Have you ever dreamed of a place far away from it all? Where the air you breathe is soft and clean, and children play in fields of green? And the sound of guns doesn't pound in your ears anymore? Hal David's lyrics expressed a sentiment shared by many of the optimistic generation who hadn't yet felt their ideals vanquished by the reality of Vietnam and growing dissension under the White House of President Richard M. Nixon. David's words were captivatingly sung by folk artist Shawn Phillips,
Ode To A Kudu: CTI Masterworks Series Continues In October With Kudu Titles
Tuesday, August 9 brought the most recent quartet of CTI jazz titles to CD from Sony's Masterworks Jazz division. For the next batch, due October 4, the label has turned its attention to CTI's offshoot label, Kudu. Named after the long-horned African mammal, Kudu was launched by CTI's Creed Taylor in 1971. Taylor described his new endeavor as "a black awareness label, more commercial oriented than CTI and indigenous to the black popular music of the United States." Even the logo's familiar
So Mystifyingly Glad: The Critters' Project 3 Recordings Are Coming From Now Sounds
As I type these words, I’m just a couple of miles away from the heart of Westfield, New Jersey, a bucolic suburb with a bustling and vibrant Main Street. Over the years, Westfield has boasted a number of illustrious residents, among them Charles Addams, Langston Hughes and Paul Robeson. But it should be no surprise to find that Westfield is also the birthplace of a beloved pop group. After all, New Jersey’s musical roots run deep, from Sinatra to Springsteen, the Four Seasons to Bon Jovi.
No Longer Wond'ring Aloud: Details Finally Arrive For "Aqualung" Super-Deluxe Box
The super-deluxe parade continues. We first reported on the 40th anniversary box set of Jethro Tull’s Aqualung back on June 3, and now we can thank our pals at MusicTAP for revealing details of the set’s rather overwhelming contents! On October 31 in the U.K., EMI will unveil the 2-CD/1-LP/1 DVD/1 BD Aqualung box set alongside a 2-CD distillation, housed in a digipak and containing a 48-page booklet. Amazon isn’t currently showing an American release date, though a domestic arrival is
With A Little Help From His Friends: James Burton Anthology Features Everlys, Nelson, Hazlewood and Buffalo Springfield
When James Burton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, no less a legend than Keith Richards delivered his induction speech. Richards was just one of the many guitarists influenced over the years by Burton, a talent whose C.V. boasts names like Rick Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Elvis Costello, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Joni Mitchell, John Denver, and oh yeah, Elvis Presley. Burton’s talent has transcended genre and classification, and at the age of 72, he
Dreams Come True: Aerosmith's Classics Coming to iTunes
While most fans of The Second Disc wouldn't know it - likely owning some of the remasters and compilations that have been on shelves in the past - much of the Aerosmith catalogue has not been available digitally. This changes with the recent announcement of Aerosmith's first Columbia-era output, including all studio and live albums and select compilations, coming to iTunes on September 6. Pre-order links are already up through the digital provider for Aerosmith's seven studio albums from 1973's
Soundtrack Round-Up: La-La Land Goes "Commando," Intrada Goes "Galactica"
Another pair of great stories for catalogue film score fans from around the way - another great sci-fi release from Intrada and a surprise expansion from La-La Land Records! Intrada's first in a series of archival titles devoted to Stu Phillips' score for the original Battlestar Galactica television show, released earlier this year, was a considerable hit. Naturally, the label was ready to partner with Universal on more volumes, and the second was released Monday - a nice companion piece to the
Review: Patti Smith, "Outside Society"
The calling came early for Patti Smith. At twelve years of age, a family excursion to the Museum of Art in Philadelphia brought the young Smith in contact with Modigliani, Sargent and Picasso, the latter affecting her with his “brutal confidence.” It was with a similar confidence that Smith, not even in her teenage years, concluded that “to be an artist was to see what others could not.” Smith was steadfast in her determination to make her mark in the turbulent art world of New York in the
UPDATED 8/24: Steppin' Out: Tony Bennett Reveals Plans For Complete Album Box Set
He may have left his heart in San Francisco, but Tony Bennett dropped a big secret to The Los Angeles Times when he told the newspaper's Pop and Hiss music blog of major plans to celebrate his 85th birthday in style. Pop and Hiss revealed that Columbia Records will soon release "a $500 box set of every album Bennett has ever recorded, dating back to 1950 [sic], an achievement the performer said he was especially proud of." The singer confirmed these plans: "I'm thrilled about it, because 50
UPDATED 8/23: Ben Folds Unfolds Box Set Track List For "Retrospective"
Ben Folds' first proper album, 1995's Ben Folds Five, was named for his band. And although Alanis Morissette had her breakthrough hit that same year with "Ironic," I'll put money down that nobody was more ironic that year than Ben Folds. After all, there were only three members of this Ben Folds Five! The pianist/singer/songwriter wore his sensibilities on his sleeve, and that slightly skewed - and yes, ironic - worldview has served him well over the years. "Underground," off that first album,
Spin the Black Circle: "PJ20" Soundtrack to Feature Live Cuts, Unreleased Demos
Last week, Joe reported that the double-disc soundtrack to Pearl Jam's upcoming documentary would be released on September 20. Thanks to our friends at Ultimate Classic Rock, we now have a track list to go with the set. The double-disc set, tied to the band's new Cameron Crowe-directed film chronicling the band's two decades together, is primarily comprised of live cuts from the band's history, from early performances in Seattle before the release of the group's landmark debut Ten to current
Live From D23: When We Wish Upon A Star
Greetings from beautiful downtown Anaheim! Your catalogue correspondent is reporting from the D23 Expo, or "The Ultimate Disney Fan Event." Every arm of The Walt Disney Company is here on the packed show floor, with special panels, presentations, signings and giveaways pertaining to each aspect of the company: film, television, theme parks, animation, publishing, and of course, music. As I'm immersed in all things Disney this weekend, both Mike and I thought it would be the perfect time to
Got Its Mojo Working: Magazine Launches New Label, First Releases Coming Soon
If you frequently peruse the magazine racks at your local Barnes and Noble or the soon-to-be-late, lamented Borders, chances are you’re familiar with Mojo. The U.K.-published music magazine leads the vanguard of music publications across the pond along with publications like Uncut, Q, Classic Rock and Word, as high-end, glossy publications tailored for the music-centric crowd. One monthly feature of Mojo and Uncut is the inclusion of a cover-mounted CD designed to tie in with that month’s
Release Round-Up: Week of August 16
Breaking Benjamin, Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin (Hollywood) A decade of Breaking Benjamin is collected on this new compilation, available in both standard and deluxe editions. The deluxe edition offers an additional disc of rare and unreleased bonus material. (Amazon) Dazz Band, Hot Spot: Expanded Edition (Funkytowngrooves) The Dazz Band's 1985 swan song on Motown Records is expanded with five remixes. (Amazon) Nick Heyward, Tangled and The Apple Bed (Cherry Red) Heyward's
On Target: Audio Fidelity Introduces New Retro Reissue Line
Can anybody doubt that Audio Fidelity knows its audience? The audiophile label is taking niche marketing to another level with the introduction of its new line of reissues. To the average consumer, a “Target CD” might be one purchased at that retail giant. To certain collectors, though, the words “Target CD” have a different meaning altogether. In the infancy of the compact disc, target CDs were pressings released by WEA (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic) in the early-to-mid 1980s. Most were
Monday Morsels: Pink Floyd On 5.1 SACD, Lost Dave Davies LP Joins Kinks Reissues, Kritzerland Is In "Style"
This weekend offered so much news that we couldn't wait to share it all with you! From the first-time release of Dave Davies' "lost" 1969 album to Kritzerland's restoration of a classic Italian film score and Analogue Productions' new Pink Floyd SACD, we've got something for everyone to kick off the week! Why Pink Floyd? EMI answered that question with the May 10 announcement of a stunning new reissue campaign for the legendary band. Now, another component of that series is confirmed to be
You Gotta Have Heart: Audio Fidelity Preps Gold Heart, "Sweet Baby James"
Audiophile specialty label Audio Fidelity continues to revisit familiar titles in 24k Gold CD editions with its two latest releases, both due August 23: James Taylor's 1970 breakthrough Sweet Baby James, and Heart's 1998 retrospective Greatest Hits. In the documentary film Troubadours, Carole King comments that due to the "generational and cultural turbulence...there was a hunger for the intimacy of what we did." And as 1970 began, listeners certainly did hunger for James Taylor. After the
Cold Chisel Expanded Reissues Arrive in Australia
Raise your hand if you're familiar with Cold Chisel! If you're not, don't worry - you can still pass "Go" and collect your 200 bucks. The band known as Cold Chisel comes from the home of Men at Work (of course), AC/DC, Olivia Newton-John, Peter Allen and Helen Reddy: Australia. Although the band never gained the international fame those other artists did, they remain one of the biggest acts ever in the land down under. Almost forty years after the band's founding, Cold Chisel kicked off
Weekend Straw Poll: One Box
It almost goes without saying, but that U2 box has been a real hot topic among friends at The Second Disc. This author has long held the belief that UMe's U2 reissues, starting with the 20th anniversary package for The Joshua Tree in 2007 have been among the best expanded sets released by a major label. The packaging is detailed, the mastering is pretty good (details uncovered on audiophile CD versions of the early albums are replicated on the reissues) and the bonus content is a potent mix of
Superstar: Leon Russell's "Live in Japan" Arrives In Newly-Expanded Edition
Can anyone dispute that the Master of Space and Time has returned? Leon Russell is currently touring the country with none other than Bob Dylan, riding the wave of adulation he's received for 2010's high-profile Elton John collaboration The Union, as well as an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On August 9, the Omnivore label will remind listeners of just why Russell is so revered today. On that date, Omnivore will release Live in Japan, restoring to a print a 1974 Japan-only LP
Crom Smiles Upon Intrada (But Not Surround Fans)
Fans of Basil Pouledoris' scores to Arnold Schwarzenegger's Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Conan the Destroyer (1984) had a reason to be excited when the Tadlow label recorded the City of Prague Philharmonic performing the complete score to each film (the first score has already been released, the second is forthcoming). The late composer had expressed disappointment with the original film recordings (particularly that of Destroyer), and his family participated in the release in full. Plus, with
Elton, Orbison, Plant, Mellencamp, Allman Salute "The Producer" On New T Bone Burnett Comp
T Bone Burnett epitomizes cool. The former Joseph Henry Burnett, with his omnipresent sunglasses, is so cool, in fact, that he makes the name “T Bone” sound hip! He’s the producer as rock star, an artist whom superstars and fresh-faced talents alike seek out for a shot in the arm. He’s also the man who made bluegrass trendy. And lest his cool credentials be in doubt, the man toured with Bob Dylan on the Rolling Thunder Revue! Raised in Texas, by way of Missouri, Burnett relocated to
Reach Out For Them: New 2-CD Comps Coming In September For Dionne, Chicago
Following collections devoted to Foreigner, Christopher Cross, Otis Redding and Yes, the U.K.’s Music Club Deluxe label (a member of the Demon Music Group family) continues its exploration of the Warner Music Group catalogue with new compilations focusing on the long, diverse careers of Dionne Warwick and Chicago. Either of these esteemed acts would be solid candidates for our Greater Hits feature, in which we compare an artist’s “greatest hits” output. Both certainly have been the subjects of
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